Production facility

Abstract

A production facility, which can produce a product efficiently while saving the space of the facility, is disclosed. The production facility comprises: a plurality of machine tools 31, 32, 33, 34 for machining a workpiece 11; a conveyor 16 for conveying the workpiece 11; and a controller 41 for controlling the machine tools 31, 32, 33, 34 and the conveyor 16. Each of the machine tools 31, 32, 33, 34 has a function of performing machining of its own process, machining of a preceding process, and machining of a succeeding process on the workpiece. The controller 41 controls the machine tools 31, 32, 33, 34 and the conveyor 16 so as to perform the machining of the respective processes continuously on the workpiece 11 in accordance with a status of machining of the workpiece 11 by the plurality of machine tools 31, 32, 33, 34.

1 . A production facility, comprising:
 a plurality of machine tools for machining a workpiece;   a conveyor for conveying the workpiece; and   a controller for controlling the machine tools and the conveyor,   wherein each of the machine tools has a function of performing machining of its own process, machining of a preceding process, and machining of a succeeding process on the workpiece, and   the controller controls the machine tools and the conveyor so as to perform the machining of the respective processes continuously on the workpiece in accordance with a status of machining of the workpiece by the plurality of machine tools.   
     
     
         2 . The production facility according to  claim 1 , further comprising
 a waiting stand, which allows the workpiece to wait, for each of the machine tools, and   wherein when the machining of the own process on the workpiece has been completed at the machine tool and the workpiece is not present on the waiting stand for the machine tool, the controller controls the machine tool so as to perform the machining of the succeeding process on the workpiece having finished the machining of the own process by the machine tool.   
     
     
         3 . The production facility according to  claim 2 , wherein
 while the machining of the succeeding process on the workpiece is taking place at the machine tool, when the machining of the own process on other workpiece different from the workpiece is completed at the machine tool of the succeeding process, and the workpiece is not present on the waiting stand for the machine tool of the succeeding process, then the controller controls the machine tool so as to interrupt the machining of the succeeding process on the workpiece, and controls the conveyor so as to convey the workpiece, for which the machining of the succeeding process has been interrupted, to the machine tool of the succeeding process.   
     
     
         4 . The production facility according to  claim 3 , wherein
 the controller monitors progress of the processes of the plurality of machine tools;   predicts a state where each of the machine tools has proceeded with its machining process, beginning at each point in time; gives instructions about a range of machining on the workpiece;   and controls the plurality of machine tools and the conveyor such that the workpiece is present on the waiting stand for the machine tool at time of completion of the process.   
     
     
         5 . The production facility according to  claim 1 , wherein
 if the machine tool fails, the controller controls the conveyor so as to convey the workpiece past the machine tool, which has failed, to the machine tool of the succeeding process.   
     
     
         6 . The production facility according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the plurality of machine tools are arranged in a straight line.   
     
     
         7 . The production facility according to  claim 6 , wherein
 the plurality of machine tools are arranged adjacently in a sequence of the processes for machining the workpiece.   
     
     
         8 . The production facility according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the plurality of machine tools are arranged around the conveyor.   
     
     
         9 . The production facility according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the plurality of machine tools constitute a cell involving the processes in which the plurality of machine tools machine the workpiece to form a product, and   a plurality of the cells are provided.